Super Rugby

Waratahs unchanged for Brumbies

Taqele Naiyaravoro starts for the Waratahs in his 50th Super rugby match

Waratahs Super rugby head coach Daryl Gibson has named an unchanged line-up to face the Brumbies in the final regular Super Rugby match at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.

The Waratahs will host a Super rugby play off next weekend and Gibson said that they did not want to make changes ahead of the play offs.

Said Gibson: “Part of our strategy is to try and keep combinations together, and it’s up to those players to really earn it through their performances. As a coaching team we feel that they are doing that and deserve their spots.”

Gibson expects a typical Australian derby.

“For both sides there’s real incentive there on the outcome of the game. The Brumbies need a bonus point win to have a chance to quality and for us the real carrot of knowing if you progress in this tournament of giving yourself the opportunity through having a home semi-final potentially.”

When asked about a potential quarter-final opponent, Gibson said: “We haven’t looked beyond this game. We know there’s a lot riding on this fixture and we want to perform. The finals series will take care of itself and we will just wait and see who we get.”

Record-breaking winger Taqele Naiyaravoro will play his 50th game for NSW and he is three caps away from a half century of Super Rugby matches for the State team.